Drivers aren’t the only people who have voiced frustrations over the ongoing construction to the city’s main thoroughfare. Various store owners on Washington Street said last week that business is down at least 25 percent at some locations. In addition, NJ Transit was told last week not to stop its buses at Second Street because of the construction.
Multiple businesses in town said they’ve been affected by the noise, lack of parking, lack of pedestrian traffic, and rerouted vehicular traffic during the project known as the Washington Street Redesign, which is set to be completed next July.
The $17.5 million project, approved by an 8-1 council vote in 2016, will replace old water mains, patch potholes, and add safety features like bumpouts, timed pedestrian crossing signals, and ADA compliant ramps.
“I have spoken with many of the shops and restaurants on Washington Street, and all have said they have been hugely impacted,” said Hoboken Chamber of Commerce President Richard Mackiewicz. “It’s been impactful in terms of a decrease in business due to noise, dust, and the parking not being there during construction. And they are hurting.”
City Spokesman Juan Melli said that the city is doing what it can to minimize disruption by maintaining two-way traffic and pedestrian access. He said the website for the redesign project reminds people that businesses are open. But businesses say they need more help.
One business has said they have seen as much as a 35 percent decrease in business from the previous year. Others said the number was closer to 25 percent and 15 percent.
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“The lifeblood of this community is Washington Street.” — Armando Luis
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Buses rolling on by
Meanwhile, bus users were waiting at the Second and Washington Street stop last week without realizing that buses had been told not to stop there. No signs were posted on Thursday. One driver heading down the street on Friday morning announced to the passengers that the police had told her not to stop there.
According to Melli, “As part of the Washington Street construction, we have been coordinating with NJ Transit, and NJ Transit is moving bus stops up or down the block depending on construction locations. NJ Transit is supposed to post signs informing people of the change in location.”
S.O.S.
“I’d say business is down 25 percent from this time last year to now,” said Dave Jacey, who owns both Black Bear Bar and Grill and Arthurs on the 200 block of Washington Street. “There has been a decrease in pedestrian traffic on Washington Street due to the construction and the barricades. They put these barricades up blocking the corners for the bumpouts, so people cross the street instead of dealing with them or choose not to walk down Washington Street at all.”
He said even receiving deliveries has been a hassle, as loading zones are two to three blocks away and sometimes his trucks just leave instead of dealing with it.
He said people are choosing to not come to town and residents are choosing to head out instead of dealing with the construction.
“Once people change their habits, it’s hard to change them back,” said Jacey. “Unfortunately, with the way this is going, we are going to probably have to lay off some staff. That’s residents and good people losing their jobs and are affected by this.
Armando Luis, owner of La Isla at 104 Washington St. and 25 Twelfth St., and Sparrow’s Wine and Liquor at 126 Washington St. and 1224 Shipyard Lane, said that his downtown La Isla location has been the most affected.
“Our downtown restaurant was down in the summer more than 15 percent in sales,” said Luis.
He added, “There is a lack of consideration from the city. I think the city should at least, before the holiday season, put out the message that Hoboken is still open for business. The lifeblood of this community is Washington Street. To simply leave us hanging out here to fend for ourselves isn’t right.”
Eugene Flynn, owner of Schnackenberg’s near Eleventh and Washington and the Elysian Café at Tenth and Washington, said, “I’m concerned that the business and economic impact of this project hasn’t been accounted for. I talk to a lot of business owners and we all feel the hurt.”
“The construction, combined with the zealous enforcement by the Parking [Utility], has been an issue,” said Vito Buzzerio, who owns Vito’s Deli at Eighth and Washington. “I’ll have a customer who will double park for three of four minutes to grab a sandwich and they will come outside to a ticket. Sometimes I even eat the cost because I need people to come back.”
He said despite his efforts, a loyal customer base, and great staff, his lunchtime business is down about 25 to 35 percent from the year before.
How are businesses coping?
“We have a pretty large advertising budget and what we are considering doing is emphasizing our local delivery,” said Luis. “Luckily we also have our uptown location so we are in a better situation than most.”
Buzzerio said he has started to tell customers to call in their orders and he will run out to them in their car.
“I’m thinking of adding it to our advertising and menus as Vito’s Valet,” said Buzzerio.
All of the business owners interviewed said they have reached out to the city and council members with concerns or ideas on how the city could help keep businesses thriving, such as discounted parking or marketing ideas.
They received little to sometimes no response at all, even at a time when council members are running for mayor.
“I’d like to have the city work with the business owners to do some advertising saying something like, excuse our appearance during construction; Hoboken is still open for business,” said Jacey. “Another idea would be to offer an incentive for people to still come here, such as discounted parking.”
Will they reach deadline?
Mackiewicz said that after the City Council granted a 60-day extension for the project’s completion, to July 20, 2018, he has heard from businesses who are concerned that it will be the first of several.
“From what I hear, we are way behind schedule,” said Jacey.
Despite the rumors, the city says it is doing its best to remain on track.
Melli said the city hired Underground Utilities to oversee the construction with T & M Associates, to ensure the project will be completed by deadline.
If the project is not completed by July, the city will receive $5,000 per day plus $150 per hour for engineering and inspection costs.
As of Thursday the construction was temporarily on hold pending a full safety review, after a traffic signal was knocked over and struck a woman pushing a stroller. She was not seriously injured.
Marilyn Baer can be reached at marilynb@hudsonreporter.com.
